Galloping Goose gets safer crossing

Mounting safety concerns surrounding the Cooper Cove crossing have been quelled with the construction of a pedestrian crossing.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure started construction on a pedestrian activated, light controlled crossing on Sooke Road near Cooper Cove on June 4.

The project will connect the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, which is currently bisected by Sooke Road without a formal pedestrian crossing.

“It will improve the crossing safety significantly,” said Lloyd Rushton, CRD general manager of parks and community.

The Capital Regional District has identified the crossing as a priority due to potential safety hazards for trail users who cross the busy highway in order to continue on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

For example, in July 2011, the high-volume traffic highway had 3,000 cyclists and pedestrians cross around the Cooper Cove area.

Other upgrades to Cooper Cove include: advanced warning signs for drivers on either side of the crossing; adjustment of existing concrete barriers to discourage road side parking and achieve better sight lines; and flattening of the Galloping Goose Trail on the north side of the road.

“There’s a fairly steep hill that comes down to the highway and that will be flattened so it’ll be much more of a gradual slope,” Rushton said, adding a more gradual incline will help cyclists slow down as they approach Sooke Road.

According to the CRD website, delays and alternating traffic during peak construction hours from June 4-15 can be expected.

Lane closures have been approved for Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The project, which is a partnership between the province and CRD, costs $130,000. The province allocated the funds from a license agreement for a gas supply line under the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

A crossing at Happy Valley Road in Langford has also been identified as a priority.